Category: Student Support

2021 Closing Ceremony

6/8/2021

By Science & Arts Academy

On Friday, June 4 SAA ended the school year with our traditional Closing Ceremony. Each year students, faculty and staff gather to commemorate a successful school year, acknowledge their promotion to the next grade, and of course sing our school songs proudly.

Thank you to the #SAAcommunity for your support and partnership throughout the 2020-2021 school year! We wish you a safe and fun-filled summer.

Snapshot: Enriching and Extending Reading for Your Gifted Child

1/27/2021

By Science & Arts Academy

We enjoyed hosting Snapshot: Enriching and Extending Reading for Your Gifted Child with Dr. Ama Thompson, Student Support Coordinator at Science & Arts Academy, as part of our Snapshot event series. These 30-minute virtual events are designed for the parents of gifted children and are free and open to the public.

Dr. Thompson’s presentation touched on the elements of reading development, especially as they relate to the characteristics of gifted readers, and how parents can enrich the reading comprehension of their children through conversation.

Watch a recording of the presentation »

The SAA Experience

7/20/2020

By Science & Arts Academy

Earlier this year, SAA students told the cameras a bit more about their SAA experience.
Hear what they had to say »

Snapshots Virtual Events for Parents

5/21/2020

By Science & Arts Academy

As kids and families settle into the new realities of distance learning, the challenges that they face extend beyond their daily school work. On Wednesday, May 20 SAA's Director of Enrollment, Mindy Hildebrandt hosted two Snapshot virtual 30-minute events for parents on two very timely topics.

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING: Tips for Distance Learning

4/10/2020

By Dr. Ama Thompson, Student Support Coordinator

As students across the world are making a transition to distance learning, educators and parents will no doubt begin to see the unique set of executive functioning challenges that distance learning can present.

Planning, organizing, and managing time as well as the physical space required to learn and study at home can be difficult to manage. The pull of family, television, video games and free time present enticing distractions. A set routine and the proper materials and supports can be very helpful in creating a structure at home that helps students learn.

Use these tips to build on routines established at school, and help your student practice independence at home during distance learning.

Science & Arts Academy Hosts Cut for a Cause

3/27/2020

By Science & Arts Academy

Pictures of students participating in event

Teachers and students from Science & Arts Academy (SAA) in Des Plaines hosted their annual Cut for a Cause Event in March.

Students, parents, faculty, staff and friends gathered to watch eight SAA students and two faculty members donate eight or more inches of hair each to the organization Children With Hair Loss. This organization provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss.

Reassuring Our Children in Complicated Times

3/24/2020

By Carolyn Manley, School Counselor

All across the world, school administrators and government officials have made difficult decisions about closing schools. We are in new territory and struggling to learn the best way to parent our children during these unusual and complicated times. Concerns about coronavirus grow daily, and these concerns can cause fear and worry for all of us, but especially our students. It is important to remember our children are looking to us for reassurance and cues on how to react and respond.

Making A Smooth Transition to Summer

6/17/2019

By Carolyn Manley, School Counselor

After a busy year of running back and forth from school while managing homework assignments and family or personal obligations, summer is the time to take a deep breath and capture those moments where you can truly slow down.

For students who have been busy all year, it is important to find time to do the things you and your family truly enjoy. I always remind parents that our students tend to differ significantly from typical kids when it comes to their feelings about summer break. While some of our students cannot wait for a break from school, many others may feel sad and need some time to process their new schedule and freedom.

Meet Our SEL Coach

4/8/2019

By Science & Arts Academy

Mrs. Centineo joined SAA in 2012 and currently teaches Language Arts to students in third through fifth grade, and serves as the school's Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Coach. As SEL Coach, she ensures that SEL best practices are integrated into classrooms and family partnerships.

SEL enhances students' capacity to integrate skills, attitudes, and behaviors to deal effectively and ethically with daily tasks and challenges. By providing targeted resources and coaching for teachers, she helps identify the SEL needs in their classrooms and to implement SEL seamlessly across the curriculum. Tina also works closely with parents to establish a strong school-home SEL connection.

Meet Our School Counselor

1/23/2019

By Science & Arts Academy

An integral part of the Student Support Team, School Counselor Carolyn Manley brings over 30 years of teaching and counseling experience to SAA.

Carolyn joined SAA in 2013 and from day one, she has worked to build Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) concepts and frameworks into our curriculum and school culture. The SAA counseling program is focused on identifying and alleviating obstacles so that children can work to their fullest potential. Carolyn works with students in individual, small group, and classroom settings, helping students build skills in areas like emotional management, stress management, self-awareness, and communication.

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